The Ministry of Health has confirmed that seven (7) of the 14 regional referral hospitals will be equipped with clinically tested and ready-to-use state-of-the art computed tomography (CT) scan machines and will receive a license to start operations.
According to Eng Byabagabi Tadeo, a senior biomedical engineer in the ministry of health, these hospitals are fully installed and clinically tested and are waiting for the Uganda Atomic Energy Council to offer a license to possess and use CT scans given they have radiography energy.
He revealed that the service have been made available in regional and national referral hospitals such as Mulago, Butabika, Kawempe, Kirundu, and specialized referral hospitals like the Uganda Cancer Institute and Women’s and Antenatal Hospital, which are all operational.
He said that most of the machines have remained idle due to lack of a license and skilled personnel to operate them.
“Hospitals that received CT scans last year include Jinja, Moroto, Hoima, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Gulu, Lira, Mulago, and Arua Regional Referral Hospitals.
Nuwa Luwalira, the Chief Executive Officer of the Atomic Energy Council, said that they installed CT scan machines that use nuclear technology and ionizing radiation, which they emit in high doses, putting lives at high risk.
“The Atomic Energy Council is tasked with regulating them to ensure they are properly functioning, hospitals have the necessary safety measures to use them, and there are qualified personnel to operate them,” he said.
According to Tadeo, multiple inspections have been conducted in the seven remaining hospitals. Those that were found to be lacking in requirements were given advice to comply with the guidelines for the licensing process, as reported by this publication.
He said that the ministry is optimistic that by the end of the month, licenses will be available.
